Tense situation in prisons: Prison overcrowded
Many prisoners, few staff - Hamburg's prisons are under pressure. According to the Senate, there were 2089 people in prison at the end of October, with 2221 places available. The situation was particularly difficult in the remand prison, where there were 508 male prisoners in 477 places. In Hamburg's largest prison, Billwerder Prison, the occupancy rate of 643 men was also higher than the capacity of 638. 170 of the 171 available places in the social therapy prison were occupied on October 31.
Because the enforcement of alternative custodial sentences was postponed during the coronavirus period, the convicts have had to begin their sentences since February of this year. This contributed to an increase in the number of prisoners. However, this backlog has now largely been cleared, explained the judicial authorities. Nevertheless, a spokesperson said: "The occupancy situation in some of Hamburg's prisons is currently tense." For this reason, suitable prisoners are being transferred to less busy prisons. In Billwerder, another detention center has been prepared for use.
Meanwhile, the sickness rate among prison staff is high in some cases. In July, the average absence rate was 13.7 percent, in Fuhlsbüttel at 14.9 percent and in the remand prison at 15.8 percent, significantly higher. Due to a prolonged illness of the head of "Santa Fu", his deputy Karen Knaack had to take over on November 1, as the Senate announced in response to a minor question from CDU member of parliament Richard Seelmaecker.
The staff shortage has consequences for the daily lives of prisoners. In August, several prison facilities in Billwerder and the remand prison remained closed. According to the Senate, there were further restrictions for leisure groups. Medical appointments were also postponed in some cases.
A technically modern way of restricting offenders' freedom is hardly used in Hamburg. Since the introduction of "electronic whereabouts monitoring" on January 1, 2011, only ten people have had to wear an ankle bracelet, and currently only two, said the spokesperson for the authorities.
The crime trend in Hamburg does not give rise to any hope that the situation will ease. While violent crime rose by around 17 percent across Germany in the first half of 2023, it increased by 20.1 percent in the Hanseatic city according to preliminary data from the police crime statistics (PKS).
The tense occupancy situation in some Hamburg prisons necessitates the transfer of suitable prisoners to less crowded facilities. Despite the clearing of the backlog of convicts due to postponed alternative sentences, the penal system continues to face pressures.
Source: www.dpa.com
